Ventilating-shaft for submarines.



M. P. HAY. VBNTILATING SHAFT FOB. SUBMARINES.

APPLIOATION FILED FEB. 20, 1914.

Patented June 2, 191%.

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MARLEYFOTHERINGHAM HAY, OF GLASGOW, SCOTLAND,

VENTILATING-SHAFT FOR SUBM'ARINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 2, 1914.

Application filed February 20, 1914. Serial 110.819995.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MARLEY FOTHERING- HAM HAY, a subject of the King of Great rines, of which the following is the specification.

This invention relates to ventilating shafts for submarines, and has for its object to provide such shafts with an improved arrangement of valves all controlled by one handle and springs in such manner that the valves may be expeditiously operated so as either to secure effective ventilation, or to close communication with the interior of the vessel, and permit water to pass up the portion of the shaft outside the hull when the vessel is being submerged. Thus it is no longer necessary to haul down the ventilating shafts preparatory to diving. and thereby the time required to prepare the vessel for diving is materially reduced. Further, when such ventilating shafts are inclosed by the improved housing forming the subject-matter of a concurrent application for a patent, they prwent slightresist ance to propulsion. when submerged, and consequently this objection to their not being hauled down preparatory to diving is overcome.

In carrying out the invention, a hinged valve controls communication between the upper and lower portions of the ventilating shaft, that is, between the portions outside and inside the hull. This valve bears on a seat formed for it in the lower end of the upper portion of the shaft. It is operated by link and lever connections from a spindle rocked by a handled lever. An aperture in one side of the upper portion of the shaft is controlled by a second hinged valve so operated by a toe piece on the hinge of the first valve that when the latter is closed the second valve is forced open against the action of a spring which closes it when the toe piece is withdrawn 0n the opening of the first valve. An additional ventilating aperture is formed through the portion of the shaft ust within the hull, this aperture be ing controlled by a third hinged valve so positioned that it is forced open by the link connected to the first valve against the action of a spring tending to close it when the link is withdrawn on opening the first valve.

When thefirst valve is open, the others are closed, and air passes by the shaft to the batteries and engines with which these ventilators-are connected. When the vessel 1s to be submer ed, the handled lever is so operated that the first valve is closed, the closing of this valve opening the others, as herein before described. WVater can then pass freely up the portion of the shaft outside the hull. If when this is taking place the first valve should not be making a tight oint with its seat, any water which may leak past the valve is prevented from getting into the batteries and engines and the leak at once detected, as this water will fall on to the third valve, then open and into the vesseh If desired, the third valve may be left open irrespective of the position of the other .valves by disconnecting the spring which normally holds it closed.

The improvements are shown in vertical section on an accompanying sheet of explanatory drawings.

As shown in the drawing, the lower end of the upper portion A of the ventilating shaft is flanged and connected to a counterpart flange A surrounding an opening formed in one side of a casing A the lower end of which is open and secured by flanges A in an opening formed through the hull A of the vessel. A second casing B open at top and bottom is similarly secured by flanges B around the opening and projects downward within the hull. From this second casing the lower portion B of the ventilating shaft extends to the batteries and engines, or otherwise as desired, within the hull. The passage through the casing A is controlled by a valve B hinged therein a and bearing on a seat B formed for it in the casing. The valve B is operated by a. link B, one end of which is hinged to its under side, and the other end pivoted to a lever B connected to a spindle C capable of being rocked by a handled lever C and extending across the lower casing B. An aperture C in one side of the upper casing A is controlled by a second valve C carried by a lever C hinged to the casing. As shown, thissecond valve is kept off its seat by a toe-piece B on the hinge of the first valve B when the latter is in its closed position, and it is again forced on its seat when the toe-piece is withdrawn, as hereinafter described, by spring C extending between a projection C on the lever C and a connection C with the hull A. The lower open end of the second casing B is controlled by a third hinged valve D which has on its inner side a cam strap D so positioned that when the air valve B is on its seat the lower end of the operating link 13 encounters the strap and keeps the third valve D off its seat, as shown. A spring D is connected to the valve D and to a lug D on the exterior of the-casing B, and when the link B is withdrawn from contact with the strap D by the opening of the air valve B as hereinafter described, the spring D pulls the valve D on to its seat.

When the vessel is to be submerged, the parts are in the position shown, that is the first valve B is closed and the two other valves C and D open, and during submersion water-can pass freely through the aper ture C and up the upper portion A of the ventilating shaft, while at the same time it is prevented from passing downward. If the first valve B is not making a tight joint with its seat B and Water should leak past it, this water will fall on to the third valve and pass into the vessel. It is thus prevented from passing down the lower portion B of the ventilating shaft and the leak is at once detected.

As hereinbefore described, the third valve D may be left permanently open by disconnecting the spring D The lower end of the lower casing B then forms an additional ventilating passage when the first valve 13 is open. To open the ventilator, the spindle C is rocked by turning its operating handled lever C through about 180 degrees. The lever B and link B are thereby so thrown that the valve B is turned upward on its hinge and uncovers the passage through the casing A", B. This movement of the parts withdraws the toe-piece B and the link B from contact with the valves C and D, respectively, and these valves are then closed on their seats by the action of their controlling springs C and D Free ventilation is then secured through the shaft A, B

It will be seen that as all the valves are operated by the movement of one handle only, the possibility of accidents happening owing to careless manipulation is prevented. Further, as only the valve B and its seat require to be sufliciently strong to resist pressure when submerged, the other parts may conveniently be made comparatively light, and as these parts are in the vicinity of the highest point of the vessel, the lessening of their weight is important from the point of view of the stability of the vessel. Also owing to the expedition with which the valve B may be closed and .its position near the hull of the vessel, the chance of accidental flooding should the ventilating shaft A be carried away in collision, for example, is

minimized. In the case of the old style of ventilating shaft which requires to be pulled down before the aperture through which it projected could be closed, this was always a source of danger.

What I claim is 1. A ventilating shaft for submarines permanently secured in position so that it extends outside and inside the hull of the vessel, valves fitted in the shaft, and means controlling the movement of the valves so that either free ventilation is obtained or the ventilation may be stopped and water permitted to pass up the portion of the shaft outside the hull when the vessel is being submerged, as described.

2. A ventilating shaft for submarines and comprising casings secured above and beneath an aperture in the hull of the vessel, a ventilating shaft in two portions secured to these casings so as toextend outside and inside the hull of the vessel, a valve controlling communication through the casings and shaft, a second valve controlling an aperture in one side of the upper casing, a third valve controlling the lower open end of the lower casing, and means controlling the movement of these three valves such that when the first valve is open the others are closed, and vice versa, as described.

3. A submarine ventilator including casings secured above and beneath an aperture in the hull of the vessel, a ventilating shaft in two portions secured to these casings so as to extend outside and inside the hull of the vessel, a valve controlling communication through the casings and-shaft, a second valve controlling an aperture in one side of the upper casing, a third valve controlling the lower open end of the lower casing,

a link hinged at one end to the first valve, a lever to which the other end of the link is hinged, a rocking spindle to which the lever is connected, a handled lever operating the rocking spindle, a toe-piece on the first valve capable of bearing on the second valve, a cam strap on the third valve on which the lower end of the link may act, so that the toe piece and link hold the second and third valves open when the first valve is closed, and springs closing the second and third valves when freed.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MARLEY FOTHERINGHAM HAY. Witnesses:

DAVID FERGUSON, Jar-[rs EAGLESOM. 

